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Fifteen of us eventually met up at the Dehesa de Abajo to the north-east of the Doñana National Park and then travelled on down to our base in Punta Umbria where affiliated member, Marta Jariod, had organised eight beautiful and well-equipped apartments for our use. Indeed, Marta also contacted the Huelva Tourist Board and they laid on a free excursion up into the Sierra Pelada a couple of hours or more north of Huelva and home to many Black Vultures. Gorgeous scenery followed by a visit to a local farm where we were right-royally entertained to some home produce including the best quality jamon and pork that you could die for! What most of us referred to as a “magical mystery tour” where even the coach driver knew not where he was taking us!

Birding wise, the Dehesa de Abajo produced both Marbled Duck and a whole range of lovely birds including Black Kites, Spoonbills, Flamingos, Great Reed Warbler, Red-knobbed Coot and scores of Little Egrets and a Night Heron . The Doñana itself was slightly disappointing as our visit coincided with the main festival of the year, La Romaria del Rocio, as thousands of pilgrims made their respective ways to El Rocio and the “Virgin of the Dew.” But even this colourful spectacle was well worth the sight.

Once again the Odiel Marshes turned up trumps and produced a range of waders plus Osprey, Black and Red Kites, Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers along with Purple Heron, scores of Little Terns and Collared Pratincoles and a lovely Western Reef Egret. With regard to the last, all fifteen of us managed to get good views and the bird was identical to the Collins Guide illustration, including the white chest and extra yellow on the lower legs.

In total we managed to find 8 ducks, 18 waders, 16 raptors, 10 warblers, 11 herons and egrets, 7 swifts and hirundines, 5 corvids, 3 terns and both shrikes in the final total of 126 species. Hopefully, a complete list is included as an attachment.